Meet Our Staff

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Bernal Baca

Executive Director

Dr. Baca is currently the Executive Director of Mi Centro in Tacoma a Multi-Million-dollar non-profit providing social, cultural, and educational services to the greater Pierce County Latino Community. He is a 30-year retired Professor Emeritus at Yakima Valley College and former Past President of the American Federation of Teachers Yakima faculty. He also served as the Government Relations Specialist and Chief Lobbyist of the American Federation of Teachers Washington for 10 yrs. He was appointed on the Washington State Board of Education by Governor Gregoire and is Past President of Association of Multi-Cultural Counseling and Development, an affiliate of ACA.  He is the current Vice-Chair of the Washington State Hispanic Affairs Commission and recent Governor Inslee appointment to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. He also serves as the Chair of the Racial Equity Team and a Co-founder and Board Member of the Equity in Education, a Trustee of the Tacoma Art Museum and a Board Member of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. He is well known and respected in the state, county and city for his work on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Dr. Baca was born and raised in Trinidad, Colorado to a pioneer family who founded the city he was born in. This was part of Mexico prior to 1846. His father was the first Latino Mayor pro- tem for the city of Trinidad. Dr. Baca attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, Washington State University in Pullman and Seattle University in Seattle.

He has two daughters and 6 grandchildren and is an avid fan and season ticket holder since 1970 of the Denver Broncos!

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Maria Chavez

Executive Assistant

Maria was born in California but raised in the state of Washington at the age of 1. She grew up in a Spanish-speaking household where she learned to speak English and took ESL classes for the first years of her elementary years. Her parents divorced when she was 9 years old, and she was raised by her single mother and 2 sisters. Her mother remarried years later and had 2 more kids, making Maria the second oldest out of 5 children. Maria has been with her high school sweetheart for over 19 years whom she shares a son and daughter. Before Mi Centro, Maria was helping the Latino community with her expertise in home and auto insurance. She helped Spanish-speaking clients to understand their needs and products. In her spare time, Maria enjoys volunteering for the PTA and listening to motivational podcasts. On the weekends, you will find Maria taking her kids to their activities such as Tae Kwon Do and basketball. For her, family is everything and spending quality time is crucial for family development and personal growth.

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Priscila Desiderio, B.A.

Deputy Director

Priscila Desiderio is the Deputy Director at Mi Centro, where she has been a dedicated team member since December 2020. Born in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Priscila is proud to be a DACA recipient and a passionate advocate for underserved communities. She earned her B.A. in 2018 from The Evergreen State College, where her studies focused on campus leadership, education, and social work.
 
Priscila believes that public secondary schools play a crucial role in the success of marginalized students and is committed to addressing the unique needs of each individual rather than assuming everyone’s needs are the same. Her work at Mi Centro began as a domestic violence advocate, and through her dedication and proactive approach, she has progressed to her current role as Deputy Director.
 
Excited to further her expertise, Priscila will be starting her Master’s in Public Administration at The Evergreen State College in Fall 2024. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, watching horror movies, and dancing whenever she gets the chance.
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Lisa Carrillo

Director of Finance

    As the oldest child, she often found herself taking the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings. Raised by divorced parents, Lisa continued to push through hardships to get her family forward and support where she could. The goal for her own family was to
guide them towards positivity and good health. The most enjoyable moments being made are those she spends with her family, especially with her two granddaughters! When she doesn’t spend time at work or with her family, she enjoys reading books with favor towards mysteries.

Lisa has been with Mi Centro for over 20 years! (23 to be exact). She does not speak very much Spanish, but even now this does not stop her from finding ways to participate in projects that are brought to life by Mi Centro. While change has always been hard, Lisa’s amazing ability to persist and find ways to adapt to the many directions this organization has taken and will continue to take, are what allow her to succeed and keep this place
standing and growing.

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Alondra Sanchez

Program Assistant – CF & Finance

Alondra, originally from Los Angeles, California, has strong roots in Guerrero, Mexico, where her parents and siblings were born. Despite early challenges, including being abandoned by her birth mother, Alondra found love and guidance in her stepmother, who shaped her values and inspired her belief in the power of determination, kindness, and intention.
 
As the daughter of immigrant parents, Alondra has a deep understanding of the obstacles many in the community face. Her passion lies in advocating for immigrant families and empowering individuals to pursue brighter futures. In her role as a program assistant at Mi Centro, Alondra supports the organization’s mission to advance the well-being of Latino and Indigenous communities through vital programs and resources. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting, Alondra is committed to using her education and skills to further contribute to Mi Centro’s growth and impact. Outside of work, Alondra enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and embracing the importance of community in all aspects of her life.
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Maribel Galva, M.E.d.

Director of art And culture

   Maribel Galvan is currently the Arts & Cultural Center Director at Mi Centro.  She received her bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University (WWU) in American Culture Studies, with a focus on Diversity in Higher Education.  As an undergraduate student, she was extremely involved with WWU’s Ethnic Student Center in organizations such as M.E.Ch.A. and the Latino Student Union—which helped her become a stronger member of the surrounding community and create institutional changes, outreach, and programming for underrepresented students at WWU.  Maribel received her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies focusing in Higher Education from the University of Washington.  Her dedication to youth and education has led Maribel to work at the College Success Foundation, South Seattle Community College’s 13thYear Promise Scholarship, and the City of Seattle’s Youth Employment Program. 

Along with being passionate about supporting community, Maribel is also an artist.  As the artist and owner of MariGlvn, LLC, Maribel has vended and been featured in art shows across Washington, Oregon, California, and Utah.  Her latest commission mural is currently on permanent display at the new location for the Latino Civic Alliance in Burien, Washington.  Maribel was also formally a part of the Colectiva Noroeste, a collective of small business artist that curated events and mercados across Western Washington. 

Maribel is a first generation Mexican-American Chicana, who grew up in East Los Angeles California but has called the Northwest home for over two decades.  The strength of her family and roots are reflected in her art, and journey within education as a working professional.   She is passionate about supporting and being of service to her community, by improving equity through programming, delivery of resources and advocacy.  She is passionate about creating opportunities and programs that empower the multitude of identity intersections we see within our strong, talented, and diverse community and promote social justice.

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Quynza Ochoa, B.A

Arts & Cultural Center Program Assistant

Quynza (Keen-Za) Ochoa (they/them) is currently the Arts & Cultural Center Program Assistant at Mi Centro. They received their bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota focusing their studies on Community Engagement, Ethnic Studies, and Communications.
 
Quynza was born in Bogota, Colombia and grew up in the Midwest before moving to the Pacific Northwest in 2019. Since Quynza was young they have been active in the arts as a musician and dancer and have found significant healing in artistic expression throughout their life. Quynza has spent considerable time with indigenous communities in Colombia and the United States learning about diverse cultural traditions and art forms. Quynza currently practices danza Azteca from Mexico as a part of their spiritual journey and feels very honored to be accepted as a cousin into the Nahuatl traditions.
 
Quynza is particularly passionate about cultural arts, as they see the arts as an integral piece to collective and individual well-being. Quynza believes that everyone is an artist, and through their work in the public health and mental health fields they have witnessed how imperative it is to integrate the arts into holistic medical care models, especially for BIPOC and marginalized communities.
 
Other passions of Quynza include spending time with their fur babies Yoda and Ruby Nekutik, creating memories with chosen family and friends, hiking, swimming, camping, organizing in mutual aid communities, and being an advocate for those impacted by trauma and mental health challenges.
 
Quynza is excited to return to their passion for the arts and looks forward to integrating their experience in mental health field to expand and advocate for communities of support that are rooted in cultural traditions and knowledge.
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Adan Espino Jr., B.A.

Director of Education & External Relations

    Adan knew at 15 years old that he wanted to be in civics or public service. Adan’s first dream was to be a teacher. He knew that he wanted to contribute to change and the greater good and be remembered as someone who did their best to make a difference.  Adan’s mission is to improve people’s lives by providing a pipeline to pass through and systemic barrier that there may be for any students who are trying to get into advocacy.

 Adan’s motivation stems from seeing his family’s journey to the United States. Watching his family achieve the American dream and wanting to continue that legacy pushes him every day to strive for more and to always put his best foot forward. His greatest strength is always having the mindset that “Tomorrows a new day” and he prides himself on being a hopeful and optimistic individual. If he could change anything about the world, he would help to put an end to the fighting and division created in this world. Instead, focus on collaboration and organizing, not separation.

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CARMEN HERNANDEZ, B.A.

Dolores Huerta Institute Case Manager

Carmen grew up in Seattle, Washington, and pursued her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Washington Tacoma. Carmen’s family is originally from a remote town in San Luis Potosi Mexico. As a first-generation college student, Carmen has dedicated herself to volunteering for community-focused nonprofit organizations since childhood. She has extensive experience as a Spanish interpreter and in community outreach.
In her free time, Carmen enjoys reading and spending quality time with her family and friends. Her passion lies in advocating for equitable educational opportunities, promoting affordable housing, and renters’ rights, and encouraging the effective use of resources to support child development.
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Jaedin Axe, B.A.

Small Business Case Manager

Jaedin was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. She has always enjoyed live music and great films (even some not-so-great films) and spending time outdoors with friends and family. Before she finished high school she spent a summer in Madriz, Nicaragua living with a host family. Spanish was a passion of hers since she was very young, and that passion only grew during her time there. While there, she hosted a summer camp for the children living in her community, assisted in a volunteer construction project and made countless long-lasting connections. It was that summer that she found her drive and commitment to support underserved communities. She pursued her Bachelors’ degrees at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. When she completed her degrees in Spanish and psychology, she was confident she wanted to pursue a career with a non-profit organization. She made the decision to move back to her hometown to improve her options for employment. As Spanish is her second language, she did encounter obstacles finding a position aligned with her long-term career goals. She found a position as a customer service representative assisting clients apply for medical insurance, and other resources for medical, dental and social services. Being that most of her clients were Spanish speakers, she began taking the steps she needed to approach her goals of pursuing a career in advocacy. At her time there, she became determined to dedicate her time and efforts supporting the Latin community in Washington. Her motto has always been: Be the best version of yourself you can be, and to treat others the way you wish to be treated. Here at Mi Centro, Jaedin is the Case Manager for the Small Business Program, Camino al Exito. She believes that minimizing the obstacles Hispanic business owners face while starting and growing their businesses is crucial to their representation in Washington state’s economy and community. She is excited to continue to support the community around her.
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Samantha Franco, B.A.

Program Assistant

I was raised in Tacoma, Washington, I proudly became the first in my family to graduate from UW Seattle, class of 2023. Honoring my parents’ dream of attending college. Through my education and life experiences, I continue to break down barriers. I am passionate and dedicated to supporting underserved communities by bringing advocacy and awareness.
 
Working at Mi Centro has helped me learn new skills and has given me the opportunity to help the Latino community. During my free time, I enjoy going to concerts, spending time with my family and friends in the US, and traveling to visit my family in Mexico. My personal goal is to travel around the world.
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Sarai Sword

Small Business Coordinator

Sarai is originally from Las Cruces, New Mexico and is very proud to be an accomplished Latina business owner.

Sarai has been an insurance agent for 18 years and is very knowledgeable in her industry and is excited to share her knowledge with other business owners.

Making a difference in her community has been key for her and she continues to excel by proving that ethics, transparency and honesty are keys to building a successful partnership within her community.

Her Role with Mi Centro is super important.  As a Small business Coordinator, she can use her skills and knowledge to help new businesses or established ones that need guidance. 

Sarai‘s motto in life is truly about treating others the way you like to be treated and enjoying life to its fullest.

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Michelle Camacho

Domestic Violence Preventionist

Michelle Camacho serves as the Domestic Violence Preventionist at Mi Centro. Originally from San Bernardino, California, Michelle relocated to Tacoma, Washington at the age of 8.
 
With a fervent commitment to fostering positive change, Michelle’s primary objective is to educate and empower the community to recognize and challenge the normalization of domestic violence. Through her work at Mi Centro, she strives to initiate conversations and implement strategies that promote awareness and prevention.
 
Michelle’s dedication to creating safer and more supportive environments underscores her role as a compassionate advocate for those affected by domestic violence. She believes that through collective effort and understanding, we can transform societal attitudes towards domestic violence.
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Jessica Najera, B.A.

Family Support Services Advocate

Jessica Najera-Martinez was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. She went to LHS and attended Whitworth University where she majored in Pre-Law Political Science and Spanish. She is a first-generation Latina daughter of immigrant parents. At Whitworth Jessica got to do an internship for unaccompanied youth in the Bay Area of Northern California where she worked to ensure that families received the legal representation they deserved. After college she was a teacher in Spain where she taught to the immigrant population of Spain. Her dream is to become an immigration attorney to ensure that no children have to experience family separation.
On her free time she enjoys traveling and playing with her Shitzu.
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Mattie Zamora

Program Assistant

    Mattie Zamora is vital to Mi Centro; she is a Program Assistance and a Family Support Service Advocate. Mattie was born in Michoacán, Mexico. She moved to the United States at the age of 19 with her 3 month old daughter. Mattie has endured hardship and trying times in her journey of life like many of us, but Mattie’s experience and background motivates her to support and assist the community. Mattie prides herself in her excellent customer service.
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Julio Espinola, B.S

Web Developer

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Rosario Siete Salguero

Building Custodian

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Teddy

Teddy Bear Pancho was born on July 4th, 2019, in Yakima, WA, Teddy is Mi Centro’s beloved office dog. Teddy began training at just six months old at The Evergreen State College, working with both youth and adults in a bilingual environment. In 2021, Teddy joined Mi Centro as an emotional support animal, offering comfort and companionship to clients and staff. Besides being the go-to for cuddles and support, Teddy also takes his role as the office’s unofficial security guard seriously. When he’s not on duty, you can find Teddy playing tug-of-war or indulging in his favorite treat—pizza!

Randy Bitts

IT Administrator

Kate Smith

Grant Writer